Berwangen

Summary: This community built its first synagogue in 1771. Later, in 1845, a new synagogue was inaugurated at 45 Hausener Strasse. Local Jews maintained a mikveh (20 Hausener Strasse) and a school for religious studies whose teacher also served as chazzan and shochet. In Berwangen, a cemetery was consecrated (on Fuerfelderweg) in 1845. Thirty-three Jews lived in Berwangen in 1933: Two schoolchildren received religious instruction, and a chevra kadisha and three charity associations were active in the community. On Pogrom Night, the synagogue’s windows and interior were destroyed. Jews were beaten with rubber clubs, and homes were wrecked. Furniture from the homes of Jews who had emigrated, which had been stored in the school, was also damaged. The community chairman and his wife were marched through the streets while crowds lined the streets and shouted abuse. The synagogue building was demolished shortly after the pogrom. Eighteen local Jews immigrated to the United States; seven relocated within Germany. Nine Jews, Berwangen’s last, were deported to the concentration camp in Gurs, France, on October 22, 1940. At least 52 Berwangen Jews perished in the Shoah. At the demolished cemetery site, a memorial stone was later unveiled. The former synagogue site now accommodates a vegetable garden, a garage and a warehouse.

Author / Sources: Nurit Borut
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK-BW